Georgia Criminal Defense Blog

Tiffany Allen and Antonio Sanders were charged with sixteen counts of theft by receiving, fifteen counts of identity fraud, six counts of theft by taking, one count of third-degree forgery, and one count of giving a false statement to law enforcement after stealing mail from mailboxes last week in Hoschton, Georgia.

Authorities stopped their vehicle for a routine traffic violation. A search of their car led officers to discover evidence of fraudulent checks and stolen identities. Both Allen and Sanders are in the Jackson County Jail.

Let's look at a few of the offenses to which Allen and Sanders are being accused.

According to Georgia Law, “a person commits the offense of identity fraud when he or she willfully and fraudulently without authorization or consent, uses or possesses with intent to fraudulently use identifying information concerning a person, uses identifying information of an individual under 18 years old over whom he or she exercises custodial authority, uses or possesses with intent to fraudulently use identifying information concerning a deceased individual, creates, uses, or possesses with intent to fraudulently use any counterfeit or fictitious information concerning a fictitious person with intent to use such counterfeit of fictitious identification information for the purpose of committing or facilitating the commission of a crime or fraud on another person; or without authorization or consent, creates, uses, or possesses with intent to fraudulently use any counterfeit or fictitious identifying information for the purpose of committing or facilitating the commission of a crime or fraud on another person.” O.C.G.A. §16-9-121.

If the allegations are true, and Allen and Sanders are convicted of identity fraud in Georgia, then they are facing a felony conviction. The penalty includes a prison sentence of anywhere from one to ten years, a fine up to $100,000, or both. A second identity fraud conviction includes a penalty of three to fifteen years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, or both. Their fines and penalties will be per count, which according to reports, they are facing fifteen counts of identity fraud.

According to Georgia Law, “a person will be guilty of making a false statement when they knowingly and willfully falsify, conceal, or cover up by any trick scheme, or device a material fact; make a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of state government or of the government of any county, city, or other political subdivision of this state.” O.C.G.A. §16-10-20.

If the allegations are true, and Allen and Sanders are convicted of giving a false statement to law enforcement, then they are facing a felony conviction. The penalty includes a prison sentence of anywhere from one to five years, a fine up to $1,000, or both.

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About the Author

Richard Lawson has devoted his entire career to DUI Defense and Criminal Defense. As a former Prosecutor he knows both sides of your case. Put his experience to work for you. In DUI cases, you only have 30 days to protect your right to drive. Call now for immediate attention. We are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

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